• Texas Education Code (TEC) - State law governing Texas public education
• Texas Administrative Code (TAC) - Rules governing Texas public education which are adopted by the SBOE and Commissioner of Education
• Local School Board Policies and Procedures

Note: Additional Texas Codes are applied, if applicable. Federal legislation, including No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), also govern Texas public schools.

Texas public schools are funded through:

• Tax Levies and Bonds (excludes charter schools)
• Foundation School Program Funds
• State Program Funds
• Federal Program Funds
• Grants

  Finance Acrobat Document

Public schools are responsible for employee recruitment and hiring; determining and documenting staff qualifications and credentials; benefits; risk management; and other human-resource functions, including payroll coordination with finance staff. The requirements for staff qualifications as outlined in the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), NCLB and IDEA have increased the expectation for recruiting, hiring, and maintaining documentation regarding highly qualified staff.

In compliance with the Texas Education Code, TEA has an established Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) to collect data for school districts and charter schools. The data collected includes organization, budget, finance, staff, student demographics, program participation, school leaver, student attendance, course completion and discipline data. PEIMS contains only the data necessary for the legislature and the TEA to perform their legally authorized functions in overseeing public education. For the PEIMS electronic collection, school districts submit their data via standardized computer files, as defined by the PEIMS Data Standards. TEA manages other collections for evaluation, monitoring, funding or auditing purposes.

Each public school system must ensure that viable curricula and instruction are available to assist all students in reaching high academic standards of achievement.

• Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are curriculum standards developed at the state level to ensure coherence and a seamless transition from early childhood through high school.
• Scientifically research-based programs and instructional strategies are implemented to provide the most appropriate education for all students, including those with diverse learning needs. Informal and formal assessments are administered to assess how students are making progress towards mastery of the TEKS.
• Public schools are also responsible for ensuring that students are prepared to meet or exceed the assessment expectations established for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and other tests such as college entrance examinations.

In addition, public schools are responsible for administering various local, state, and federal school programs and services which are intended to have a positive impact on student achievement.

Districts and charter schools develop long-range technology plans which ensure the acquisition, development, interconnection, implementation, improvement, and maintenance of an effective educational technology infrastructure that provides access of technology to staff and students. Technology initiatives ideally enable school personnel and administrators to integrate technology effectively into curriculum and instruction that are aligned with State academic content and student academic achievement standards.

The application of technology includes teaching, learning, and integration of digital technology knowledge and skills across the curriculum, especially in the foundation areas, to support learning and promote student achievement. Ongoing professional development for teachers, principals, and administrators provides constant access to training and updated research in teaching and learning through electronic means. Technology is also used to promote parent and family involvement in education and communication among students, parents, teachers, principals, and administrators. Public schools face the challenge of remaining current with ever-changing technology in order to prepare students for post-high school demands.

Public schools are responsible for maintaining and operating facilities, transportation, food services, and other aspects of the system. Resources are allocated to ensure that all areas meet the requirements outlined in respective guidance, e.g., city code requirements, Department of Transportation, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Civil Rights, and others.